THE CONTINUING DRAMA OF THE CROWE CASE

Michael Crowe will have his day in court 14 years later, a one-day hearing April 16 seeking a pronouncement that he is in fact innocent in the death of his sister Stephanie.

This high-profile case has haunted the Crowe family of Escondido as well as law enforcement agencies. Escondido and Oceanside police were convicted long ago in the court of public opinion of incredibly sloppy police work and improper procedures.

Michael Crowe, then 14, and two teenage friends were coerced into confessions after marathon interrogations. “Psychological torture” is what one appeals court called it. Only after the murder investigation was turned over to the state Attorney General’s Office was transient Richard Tuite apprehended and convicted.

Escondido and Oceanside (which supplied an investigator) have paid insurance settlements of $7.25 million to the Crowe family and $4 million to the family of Aaron Houser, a friend of Michael’s. A psychologist who assisted police settled for $1 million.

We hope Michael Crowe can gain some closure. But a never-ending case of twists and turns has yet another: Tuite’s conviction was reversed last year and an appeal of that ruling is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. There could be yet another trial.